The songwriting is usually credited to Covay and Ron Alonzo Miller, although other co-writers' names have also appeared on various releases.

More recently, Covay's original version has received attention as one of Jimi Hendrix's first recordings as a sideman.

[2] New York radio station WWRL disc jockey Nathaniel "Magnificent" Montague provided financing for the session.

[3] Covay recalled that the song was recorded in one or two takes[3] and additional single-note fills at the fade-out suggest a second guitarist or an overdub.

[9] Producer Abramson's former label Atlantic picked up the distribution and it entered the Billboard Hot 100 on September 5, 1964.

The performing rights organization BMI shows the writers as "Donald Covay" and "Ronald Alonzo Miller".

[4][11][10] According to backup singer Clemons: Curtis Knight, Jimmy [Jimi Hendrix], and I all used to live in the same apartment building – around 81st Street [near the A1 Studio] ... Don Covay came around shopping for a record deal.

[13] However, Shadwick feels the song's guitarist "certainly enjoys a prominent role – and perhaps this does suggest a regular band-member performing a well-learned routine rather than a last minute substitution".

I hadn't worked with Don [Covay] yet, but I asked Jimi to show me that great lick he played.

[24] The three and a half minute song features more elaborate and driving guitar work, although remains focused on chording.

In general, with a slightly overdriven (distorted) timbre and daring verve, Richards takes the song in the direction of rock.

AllMusic critic Steve Huey notes "[he] clearly modeled his vocal on Covay's original, which apparently had a lasting impact on the way Jagger subsequently used his voice".

[7] Guralnick calls Covay's style a "formative influence" on Jagger,[8] who was "gaining confidence as a soul-rock vocalist".

[6] The Stones' rendition of the song was not released as a single; however, it was used as the lead track on the American version of the band's Out of Our Heads album.